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In 2019, the Tensoba Boulevard Development Project The events in Ouagadougou gave hope to local residents. Two years later, in 2021, the road was renovated, much to the delight of users. However, when it comes to businesses and families, the feeling is different.
Safiatou Congo sits in the shade, twiddling her thumbs. It’s not even 10am on Thursday, August 22, 2024, but there are no customers at her counter. A few years ago, Safiatou set up his coffee kiosk in front of his house, on the right side of Tensoba Avenue in the direction of Charles de Gaulle Pediatric Hospital. She makes it clear that every day has been the same since the road was repaired.
Humidity inside a shop abandoned by merchants after flooding
Aside from a few loyal customers and bread lovers, Dame Congo’s kiosk is paralyzed. “Honestly, it doesn’t work!” she told us succinctly. The seller, who is also a resident of the area, said the height of the road, coupled with the lack of intersections, discourages customers who don’t want to take a detour.
The pain of business
The absence of customers is not the only consequence of this road. There are also floods. Safiato’s neighbor works in welding and closed her shop after the first rain. “The water destroyed a lot of my neighbor’s equipment and he had to find another workshop. Since I live here at the same time, I always try to stay,” she explained. Dozens of closed shops line the avenue.
Safiatou Congo has stopped serving lunch and is only serving breakfast because there are no customers
A few meters from Dame Congo’s kiosk, Béatrice Bambara/Nassouri tells us that landlords in this strip are struggling to find tenants. “A hairdresser since 2013, she has seen a significant drop in turnover since the road was redeveloped. “My clients tell me that it is difficult to turn around and come back to the salon. So, many stop coming. In addition, we suffer during the rainy season. Together with our neighbors, we built a small wall to protect against the flooding, but it doesn’t change anything” says Béatrice Bambara/Nassouri, who shows us a video of her living room completely flooded after the rains. During our interview, one of his neighbors, Issaka, was intrigued by our presence. After learning about the problem, the man went on to tell us that he has been operating in this avenue for 20 years and that business has never been so bad. “I used to receive about twenty people a day. But nowadays, I do hair for less than eight people a day, especially when there is mud,” he adds.
The situation seems to be the same for traders. On the route from the SIAO site to the woman’s house, many owners are on the verge of despair. “We have lost more than we have gained. Some neighbors have closed their shops. They have no choice,” said a parts seller, his tone full of worry. The latter pointed out that there is no channel for drainage.
Béatrice Bambara Nassouri shows a video of her living room flooded after the rain
Development projects that appear to exclude local shops
At first glance, the layout of Amakusa Avenue leaves little room for local shops to set up. The height and form of the road seem to indicate that this road is mainly used for smooth and fast traffic, without considering the commercial activities on the side. However, the merchants who have set up there don’t think so. “We chose this location because this road would attract more customers, but instead we have to deal with floods, which prevent us from working properly,” explains the winery manager. For him, it is only a little crowded on weekends. “Look for yourself, it’s noon, we serve food, but there is no one there,” he adds. He regrets that the road technicians did not take into account all the commercial activities around them when they were working.
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Impact on local residents
During the rainy season, residents of the community live anxious lives. “Every time it rains, we face the same problems. Water seeps into our homes, damages our furniture and creates constant humidity,” said Mariam, who was shelling peanuts outside her door. Crossing the road is also a headache for her because the road is too high. “Every time we have to go around because our house is far from the intersection. For those of us who have reached a certain age, walking is also painful,” said Mariam, who seemed to be unaccustomed to the form of the road. She showed us a pile of wooden boards that her husband had to put on top for support before he could walk on the road.
The wooden plank left by Mariam’s husband
Faced with these challenges, local residents, especially businessmen, called on the authorities to review certain issues in the development of the avenue. “We know that we cannot change some things, but we need to build bridges in certain places. Otherwise, in winter, the floods will become more and more serious. It is urgent to find a solution to stop these floods because we are at risk of closing it all,” worries Ithaca. In order to facilitate getting home, local residents proposed opening the road intersection. Béatrice Bambara/Nassouri added: “It would help us if at least a certain level could be set to facilitate access to our workshops.”
Also read: Burkina Faso: Residents of Ouagaint livestock market evicted
Farida Tiobiano
Lefaso.net
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